Winkie Bernaldez

During the testing phase for the thesis. Local craftman making small talk with younger artists

Local craftman making small talk with younger artists. Photo by: Ashley Lao

Article (news)

Ashley Lao and younger generation of artists from Baguio met and talked with Local craftmen at Pansigshan Artisans Village

Younger generation of artists from Baguio met and talked with Local craftmen at Pansigshan Artisans Village. Photo by: Sonia Bullong

Page from Crafting Continuity e-magazine.

Page from Crafting Continuity e-magazine

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17813197818881781319784238.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Younger generation of artists from Baguio met and talked with Local craftmen at Pansigshan Artisans Village. Photo by: Sonia Bullong </div>In a time when most youth learn through reels, short-form videos, and social media feeds, can digital platforms help preserve traditions that have been passed down by hand for generations?For Ashley Lao, the answer lies somewhere between the old and the new.A graduating student from Ateneo de Manila University recently launched Crafting Continuity, a social media campaign that documents and promotes the Cordillera’s traditional crafts and folk arts through short forms videos, art cards, and a free online instructional book. What began as a senior thesis project for her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Information Design degree has since evolved into a digital archive dedicated to preserving cultural knowledge for future generations.&quot;Artists and craftsmen were worried about finding people interested in continuing their medium, finding new talent, and ensuring the overall continuity of the medium,&quot; Lao said in an online interviewThe idea emerged while she was researching Baguio&#x27;s creative sector. As she combed through studies and interviewed artists, she noticed a recurring concern among artisans: Who would carry their traditions forward?&quot;I was always interested in the different folk arts and crafts present all over the city,&quot; Lao said.<div>Preserving stories before they disappear</div>For Lao, documenting traditional crafts is a race against time.“Our artists and craftsmen are not getting younger, and they hold so much valuable information and stories! There needs to be some sort of way that they are preserved for future generations, even ones beyond our lifetime, to access and reference.” she said.The challenge is especially relevant today, when younger generations are increasingly immersed in digital spaces and exposed to global trends that can sometimes overshadow local traditions.“There’s also the factors of increasing use of social media and gadgets, shorter attention spans, and globalization making the younger generations’ interests go far, far beyond their city or country. Preservation efforts are important more than ever,” she said.Rather than seeing technology as a threat to cultural heritage, Lao saw it as an opportunity.With social media becoming a primary source of information for many young Filipinos, she decided to bring traditional crafts to the platforms they already use every day.Social media is also something that younger generations are extremely familiar with and regularly use, so why not use this to introduce crafts and folk arts to them?The result is a series of bite-sized videos featuring local artisans, their stories, and their creative processes. Accompanying them is an instructional e-book that serves as a free learning resource for anyone interested in exploring Baguio&#x27;s folk arts.<div>Learning through a screen</div>Among those who connected with the project is Baguio-based photographer Carl Fredrian Cupido, who helped document some of the featured artisans.Before becoming involved, Cupido admitted he knew little about the region&#x27;s traditional crafts despite growing up around them.&quot;I was aware of the general local arts scene but not much on the folk arts and traditions, I would know about their existence, but I was not curious enough to want to know more about them,&quot; he said.That changed through Crafting Continuity.&quot;The project opened my view towards Filipino craftsmanship and heritage. It has influenced me to be more curious, and it has inspired me to preserve our rich legacy,&quot; he said.For Cupido, one of the most memorable traditions featured was the weaving of the pasiking, a traditional Cordilleran rattan backpack.&quot;As a Cordilleran, it resonated with me the most. Now that I have seen and experienced how to make it firsthand, I realize that the process is very intricate, and the practice truly is something you do not see often.&quot; he said.He believes that digital platforms can help bridge the gap between younger audiences and cultural heritage.“Social media has a vast reach to audiences, younger audiences at present have limited to no means to engage with some cultural practices. With social media, it provides access to cultural knowledge, enabling customs and practices to be shared through visual storytelling.” he said.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781320017846WEAVING.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Page from Crafting Continuity e-magazine. </div><div>Keeping identity alive</div>The project also features traditional bead artist Sonia S. Bullong of the Kankanaey tribe, whose work reflects Cordilleran identity and cultural pride.Bullong first became interested in beading as a child and later incorporated traditional designs into jewelry that complements indigenous clothing.For her, preserving traditional crafts is deeply connected to preserving cultural identity.&quot;Tribal affiliation is losing its colors now to the young generation. My beads could at least help bring back those tribal colors and their community significance.&quot; she said.She worries that cultural knowledge may fade as younger generations become more disconnected from their communities.&quot;I am worried that the significance of cultural identity will be lost,&quot; she said.Seeing her craft documented through digital platforms, however, gave her hope.&quot;I look forward that this will stay for the next generations,&quot; she said.Bullong also believes cultural preservation requires collective effort from families, educators, and community elders.&quot;It&#x27;s a duty for elders to help the next generations embrace cultural importance, value of identity, and tribal affiliation,&quot; she said.Her message to young Filipinos is simple: &quot;Dig your roots. Learn your cultural and tribal history. Find your community and continue the values by embracing, appreciating, and being proud.&quot;<div>More than an archive</div>While Crafting Continuity demonstrates the potential of social media as a preservation tool, Lao emphasizes that digital content is only the beginning.She believes meaningful cultural preservation still requires direct engagement with artisans, communities, and mentors.&quot;Digital platforms can be an effective way to introduce information to younger generations.. However, it should not stop there.&quot; she said,Workshops, community spaces, and face-to-face learning experiences remain crucial to keeping traditions alive, she added.&quot;Nothing could fully replace personal relationships with mentors and communities.&quot; she said.For now, Lao hopes the project will continue beyond its origins as a university thesis.&quot;There are so many more mediums all over the country… I really hope this project becomes an important resource for preserving Baguio crafts and folk arts.&quot; she said.As traditional knowledge increasingly finds its way onto smartphone screens, initiatives like Crafting Continuity show that technology and heritage do not have to exist on opposite ends of the spectrum.

A student-led digital initiative is using social media to preserve Baguio City's traditional crafts and folk arts. Through videos, digital content, and a free e-book, Crafting Continuity documents artisans' stories while inspiring younger generations to connect with cultural heritage.

A student-led digital initiative is using social media to preserve Baguio City's traditional crafts and folk arts. Through videos, digital content, and a free e-book, Crafting Continuity documents artisans' stories while inspiring younger generations to connect with cultural heritage.

Scrolling through heritage: How a student is preserving Baguio's folk arts online

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Scrolling through heritage: How a student is preserving Baguio's folk arts online

Winkie Bernaldez,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 13, 2026 02:00 PM PHT

Read More:

Crafting Continuity

Baguio

Kankanaey Tribe

Cordillera

Ateneo De Manila University

Traditional Craft

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